Morning sunlight spilled across Greenfall Village. Birds chirped, children laughed, and for the first time in years — hope returned.
The villagers spoke in hushed tones.
"Did you hear? The mayor's cutting taxes!"
"They say a shadow forced him!"
"Who is this Raven Cross?"
Raven stood atop a small hill, arms crossed, cloak fluttering. Vee floated beside him, smirking.
"Congrats, Host~" she said playfully. "You're officially the shadow ruler of your first territory!"
Raven didn't smile. His eyes scanned the horizon. "This is just a seed. A real ruler doesn't stop after one victory."
Vee tilted her head. "Oh? What's the next move then, Lord Villain~?"
"Control. From the ground up. Loyalty. Fear. Structure. We turn this village into a machine — one that runs on my will."
Her eyes glowed crimson. "Hehe~ That's the energy I like."
> [Quest Updated: Establish Core Power in Greenfall Village]
[Sub-Missions:
① Recruit followers (0/3)
② Create hidden base (0/1)
③ Build information network (0/1)]
Raven read the system text carefully. "We start with followers. But not fools. I want competence — people with ambition."
"Hmm~ There are a few interesting ones in town," Vee said, projecting small holograms.
A blacksmith with scars. A thief hiding near the alleys. A healer cast out by the temple.
Raven's eyes narrowed on the thief. "Him. Start with him."
Vee smirked. "Bold. Recruiting a criminal first?"
"Criminals understand loyalty better than nobles — they know what betrayal costs."
---
Greenfall's backstreets were silent, damp, and narrow. Raven walked with quiet confidence, his dagger spinning between fingers.
A faint sound — footsteps behind. Then a voice.
"You lost, traveler?"
A figure dropped from the rooftops — lean, sharp eyes, twin daggers in hand.
"I heard you killed a guard yesterday," the thief said. "That takes guts. But guts don't mean brains."
Raven stopped. "You're fast."
The thief grinned. "I'm faster."
In a flash, he lunged. Two blades swung — but they cut air. Raven had already moved.
His hand clamped around the thief's wrist, twisting sharply. Crack. The man groaned. Raven's dagger stopped a breath from his throat.
"Speed is useless," Raven said coldly, "if you don't know who you're fighting."
The thief froze. Sweat rolled down his neck. "W-what do you want?"
"A partnership."
He blinked. "What?"
"You want gold. I want power. Work for me — and you'll have both."
The thief stared at him, confused. "Why me?"
Raven smirked. "Because you're desperate enough to take it, and smart enough to survive."
Silence. Then the thief slowly nodded. "Name's Kain. You?"
"Raven Cross. From now on, you take orders only from me."
> [Follower Acquired: Kain – Rogue Type]
[Villain Points +50]
Vee floated above, clapping softly. "Nice catch~ One loyal dog secured."
Raven turned to Kain. "We'll need information. You'll build me a network. Every whisper, rumor, deal — I want to know it."
Kain nodded. "Understood, boss."
---
By dusk, Raven and Kain stood before a cave at the forest's edge — abandoned, half-hidden behind vines.
Kain crossed his arms. "You sure about this place? It's dark, cold, and smells like mold."
Raven smiled faintly. "Perfect. No one looks for power in the dirt."
He raised his hand. Shadows rippled, responding to his will. The dagger glowed faintly as he drew a simple rune — his first attempt at system-guided magic.
> [Skill Learned: Shadow Crest – Marks territory and conceals presence.]
The cave shimmered. The air thickened, cloaking the entrance with a faint distortion.
"Now," Raven said, stepping inside, "it's ours."
> [Hidden Base Established: Raven's Den]
[Villain Points +150]
Vee hovered in, impressed. "Efficient~ You're building an empire faster than I thought."
Raven looked around, voice calm. "An empire built on silence, fear, and control. The foundation of a true villain."
---
Hours later, Kain returned with news. "Boss. Word's spreading. The people think you're some dark savior. Some even want to meet you."
Raven chuckled softly. "Good. Let them worship the shadow — not the man."
Vee blinked. "You're really planning to play both sides, huh?"
Raven's eyes glinted. "Heroes inspire. Villains control. I'll be both."
---
> [Quest Progress:
Recruit Followers – 1/3
Hidden Base – Complete
Information Network – In Progress]
The night deepened. Raven sat on a stone throne within the cave, cloak draped around him.
He closed his eyes. The old me died with mercy. This me… rules with purpose.
Vee floated near him, voice soft. "What's next, Host?"
His eyes opened — sharp, cold, confident.
"Next," he said, "we stop hiding in shadows… and start casting them."
The age of kindness was gone.
The era of Raven Cross, the Cunning Villain, had begun.
To be continued...